Wow! It's been a whirlwind 2 months. I just sent final approval for artwork on the album and it should officially be printing sometime tomorrow. I'm hoping to have CD's in hand and ready to ship within the next 10 days or so. Thank you to everyone who has sent comments or pre-ordered the CD!
The final record includes Orchestral samples from the Vienna Symphonic Library and vocals from LOKO (Hiroko Araki) who is an amazing vocalist from Japan. We were able to record her thanks to David Stroud and speechlevelsinging. He helped facilitate her coming from Japan to record while she was in LA this September.
I hope you'll take a few minutes and listen to some of the tracks I've posted on my website. If you like what you hear, please share it with your friends!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
What's New?
Thank you again to everyone who took the survey! The feedback has been extremely helpful!
I'm in the middle of putting together songlists for two albums. On July 20th I'll also be recording in studio with Elizabeth Urie. She is putting together an album with various artists and arrangements targeted at the Christian market. Two of my songs will be featured on her album. Eventide and Goin Home.
I've arranged both songs for a piano/flute duet and can't wait to hear the result. Her CD should be out early this fall. I'm planning on posting both of the pdf arrangements on my site in the next few weeks.
I'm in the middle of putting together songlists for two albums. On July 20th I'll also be recording in studio with Elizabeth Urie. She is putting together an album with various artists and arrangements targeted at the Christian market. Two of my songs will be featured on her album. Eventide and Goin Home.
I've arranged both songs for a piano/flute duet and can't wait to hear the result. Her CD should be out early this fall. I'm planning on posting both of the pdf arrangements on my site in the next few weeks.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who took the survey. It was extremely helpful.
Here's a rundown of the results:
Survey question #1. How likely would you be to purchase the following?
The highest percentage of people said they would be likely to buy a CD of LDS Piano Solos.
However, nearly the same amount of people said they would also buy a Christmas or original composition CD as well, so the message is basically that people will buy a CD.
Many people responded that they would also buy mp3 files of my music, but about 40% of you said you would prefer a CD over mp3.
Solution, I'll offer both.
Survey Question #2: Please select the following based on your likelihood of buying one of the following albums with Jason's music:
69% of respondents said they would definately buy a new LDS Solo book #3
Just over 50% of respondents said they would buy CD's
Over 40% said they would buy a new book of original compositions.
75% of you said that you would buy or would consider buying a book of arrangements of pop songs.
What next? Well, I'm half way finished with a new LDS Book #3, and I hope to have that go to the printer this fall. It's coming along well. I'm currently talking with several studios to find out more about recording an album and should definately have something together in early fall. I'm hoping to do a mini Christmas album that people can use as gifts that is $5-7 for an album as well as an LDS album.
Survey Question #3: What do you feel would be a fair price (that you would be willing to pay) for one of Jason's CD's?
The majority of people voted for the $12.99-$14.99 price point on this one. Thank you to those of you who were willing to pay $16.99 or more for a CD. When I finish the album, I'll gladly accept that amount as well, but it looks like I'll have a lot more buyers if I keep it around $14.
Survey Question #4: The following list includes songs from Jason's two published LDS Piano Solo Books as well as songs that will be in a third LDS Solo Book to come out at a future date. He is considering several songs for an upcoming LDS Piano CD Album. Please choose your favorite 6 songs that you feel should be on Jason's album in order of importance.
Top votes were:
31 = Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
26 = I Need thee Every Hour
21 = Praise to the Man/Called to Serve
21 = The Spirit of God
21 = I Know That My Redeemer Lives
20 = Till We Meet Again/I'll Go Where You Want me to Go
19 = Joseph's First Prayer Medley
18 = Abide with Me
18 = Sweet Hour of Prayer (Medley)
17 = Beautiful Savior
16 = We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet
Survey Question #7: Would you be interested in having Jason come to perform in concert, do a workshop or fireside in your area?
Over 53% of you said that you would like me to come and do a concert or fireside in your area. I'm more than happy to do a concert and enjoy performing. If you have a small group and would like a workshop, I do that to. If it's a long ways from Ogden, UT, all I'd ask is that you cover my travel expenses and then the fee would vary depending on what you are looking to have me do. Typically I charge between $100-250 for a workshop or concert depending on the amount of time. I also am happy to play at weddings.
If you would like me to come to your area, email me and let's talk. I'd love to start performing more!
Survey Question #8: Would you like Jason to play for a private concert, special event, FHE, fireside or family party?
Again, just email me and ask. I'm already booking dates to perform for small family gatherings around the holidays and don't mind doing smaller events. If you have something you'd like me to come to, let's talk and see if we can work something out.
Thanks again to everyone who took the survey!
Here's a rundown of the results:
Survey question #1. How likely would you be to purchase the following?
The highest percentage of people said they would be likely to buy a CD of LDS Piano Solos.
However, nearly the same amount of people said they would also buy a Christmas or original composition CD as well, so the message is basically that people will buy a CD.
Many people responded that they would also buy mp3 files of my music, but about 40% of you said you would prefer a CD over mp3.
Solution, I'll offer both.
Survey Question #2: Please select the following based on your likelihood of buying one of the following albums with Jason's music:
69% of respondents said they would definately buy a new LDS Solo book #3
Just over 50% of respondents said they would buy CD's
Over 40% said they would buy a new book of original compositions.
75% of you said that you would buy or would consider buying a book of arrangements of pop songs.
What next? Well, I'm half way finished with a new LDS Book #3, and I hope to have that go to the printer this fall. It's coming along well. I'm currently talking with several studios to find out more about recording an album and should definately have something together in early fall. I'm hoping to do a mini Christmas album that people can use as gifts that is $5-7 for an album as well as an LDS album.
Survey Question #3: What do you feel would be a fair price (that you would be willing to pay) for one of Jason's CD's?
The majority of people voted for the $12.99-$14.99 price point on this one. Thank you to those of you who were willing to pay $16.99 or more for a CD. When I finish the album, I'll gladly accept that amount as well, but it looks like I'll have a lot more buyers if I keep it around $14.
Survey Question #4: The following list includes songs from Jason's two published LDS Piano Solo Books as well as songs that will be in a third LDS Solo Book to come out at a future date. He is considering several songs for an upcoming LDS Piano CD Album. Please choose your favorite 6 songs that you feel should be on Jason's album in order of importance.
Top votes were:
31 = Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
26 = I Need thee Every Hour
21 = Praise to the Man/Called to Serve
21 = The Spirit of God
21 = I Know That My Redeemer Lives
20 = Till We Meet Again/I'll Go Where You Want me to Go
19 = Joseph's First Prayer Medley
18 = Abide with Me
18 = Sweet Hour of Prayer (Medley)
17 = Beautiful Savior
16 = We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet
Survey Question #7: Would you be interested in having Jason come to perform in concert, do a workshop or fireside in your area?
Over 53% of you said that you would like me to come and do a concert or fireside in your area. I'm more than happy to do a concert and enjoy performing. If you have a small group and would like a workshop, I do that to. If it's a long ways from Ogden, UT, all I'd ask is that you cover my travel expenses and then the fee would vary depending on what you are looking to have me do. Typically I charge between $100-250 for a workshop or concert depending on the amount of time. I also am happy to play at weddings.
If you would like me to come to your area, email me and let's talk. I'd love to start performing more!
Survey Question #8: Would you like Jason to play for a private concert, special event, FHE, fireside or family party?
Again, just email me and ask. I'm already booking dates to perform for small family gatherings around the holidays and don't mind doing smaller events. If you have something you'd like me to come to, let's talk and see if we can work something out.
Thanks again to everyone who took the survey!
Friday, June 5, 2009
I sent out a survey to my fan email list earlier this week trying to decide where to focus my music. As of tonight 58 people have taken the survey. The answers are all over the place, but it's looking more and more like I should focus on producing an LDS Piano Solo Album on a CD and make it available as an mp3 download as well. A huge group of fans also wants me to focus on publishing a 3rd LDS Piano solo book.
So, I have my work cut out for me. I'm going to try and get into a studio in the next few months to record a few songs and hopefully I'll have a new book ready to hit stores early this fall.
I still need more feedback, so if you'd like to,
Click Here to take survey
I'm going to try and post more results from the survey later next week. I'm planning to post the results on my blog and keep everyone updated as the two projects progress.
So, I have my work cut out for me. I'm going to try and get into a studio in the next few months to record a few songs and hopefully I'll have a new book ready to hit stores early this fall.
I still need more feedback, so if you'd like to,
Click Here to take survey
I'm going to try and post more results from the survey later next week. I'm planning to post the results on my blog and keep everyone updated as the two projects progress.
Monday, March 9, 2009
I received this email from Becky Carter and I wish I could have been there to see the performance. I know that I have a note on my arrangement of Called to Serve that says the arrangement is not appropriate for Sacrement meeting, but I suppose if you have Primary kids singing to it in Stake Conference, it might be all right!
Thank you Becky for sharing! If any of you have other fun stories like this, please share them!
Hi Jason,
I just wanted to tell you what I did yesterday. Hope it's OK .......I'm the Stake Primary Music Leader and I was asked to have all the Primary children sing in stake conference. Well it was yesterday. I put together an arrangement that started with your "Called to Serve" accompaniment to the children singing the first verse of that hymn. It then went into "Holding Hands Around the World" and then finished with "Armies of Helaman" and I added parts of your "Called to Serve" at the end and also intertwined the other two songs. It was just the COOLEST thing you have ever heard!! All those little Primary kids standing tall and "rocking out" to "Called to Serve". I was complimented over and over about how wonderful the arrangement was and of course I told them it was all from YOU....and of course the help of Heavenly Father. But it was just amazing. You'll have to hear it sometime.
Thanks for sharing your talent!!
Becky Carter
Kaysville, UT
Thank you Becky for sharing! If any of you have other fun stories like this, please share them!
Hi Jason,
I just wanted to tell you what I did yesterday. Hope it's OK .......I'm the Stake Primary Music Leader and I was asked to have all the Primary children sing in stake conference. Well it was yesterday. I put together an arrangement that started with your "Called to Serve" accompaniment to the children singing the first verse of that hymn. It then went into "Holding Hands Around the World" and then finished with "Armies of Helaman" and I added parts of your "Called to Serve" at the end and also intertwined the other two songs. It was just the COOLEST thing you have ever heard!! All those little Primary kids standing tall and "rocking out" to "Called to Serve". I was complimented over and over about how wonderful the arrangement was and of course I told them it was all from YOU....and of course the help of Heavenly Father. But it was just amazing. You'll have to hear it sometime.
Thanks for sharing your talent!!
Becky Carter
Kaysville, UT
Friday, February 20, 2009
Do you deserve it?
Here's another great thought I think is worth sharing. It is from Seth Godin. If you haven't heard of him, it's definately worth your time to check out his blog. He has some great books he has published as well.
Do you deserve it?
Do you deserve the luck you've been handed? The place you were born, the education you were given, the job you've got? Do you deserve your tribe, your customer base, your brand?
Not at all. “Deserve” is such a loaded word. Most of us don’t deserve the great opportunities we have, or the lucky breaks that got us here.
The question shouldn’t be, “do you deserve it.” I think it should be, “what are you going to do with it now that you've got it?"
Do you deserve it?
Do you deserve the luck you've been handed? The place you were born, the education you were given, the job you've got? Do you deserve your tribe, your customer base, your brand?
Not at all. “Deserve” is such a loaded word. Most of us don’t deserve the great opportunities we have, or the lucky breaks that got us here.
The question shouldn’t be, “do you deserve it.” I think it should be, “what are you going to do with it now that you've got it?"
I ran across the following story on SAMBA blog. Here's an excerpt of a story from Zig Ziglar today. I love the message.
Give them what they want (Hint: They want the best)
I was amazed to find the story of "Gloomy Gus" the shoeshine man in Zig Ziglar's "Secrets."
Seeing Zig approach the shoeshine station, Gloomy Gus asks "Well, I suppose you want the regular shine?" (as opposed to the "Best shine" or "Spit shine" etc.)
Zig-(incredulously) "I can't believe you said that! Why would you offer me the Regular instead of the Best?"
Gloomy- "People don't pay for the Best on rainy days because their shoes get muddied up later."
Zig- "It seems to me that if the Best shine gives the best protection and your business is down on rainy days, you would work awfully hard to increase the sales of your Best shine."
It sinks in a little for Gloomy. Zig gives him a few words that improve his sales pitch and Gloomy feels better.
The lesson behind the story woke me up. Why do we sell (or pitch, or talk about) anything less than the best for our clients and consumers? Why do we assume they don't want the best for themselves?
I think it's because we're scared. We're scared that we're not delivering the best and that consumers know it. We stretch to sell (reluctantly) because we don't believe we're delivering value to the customer.
What if we switched our framework slightly? What if we realized it's about confidence, yes, but also about the inherent belief that we're delivering something of value to the person; that we're helping them acquire something they need. That we're not only selling them something, we're helping them by selling them something.
Gloomy's assumption that people wouldn't want to pay for the Best shine undermined his profession, his respect for himself, and the respect for the customers. He should have understood that people want the best for themselves and they're willing to pay for it. Why undermine it when they aren't?
When you think about it this way, it feels lovely to want to sell. To want to get the other's permission and give them what they want.
How often have we sold to people with a lackadaisical attitude, a less-than-enthusiastic pitch, not believing what we're saying? How many times have we decreased our chances because we assume someone wouldn't want the best for themselves?
Give them what they want (Hint: They want the best)
I was amazed to find the story of "Gloomy Gus" the shoeshine man in Zig Ziglar's "Secrets."
Seeing Zig approach the shoeshine station, Gloomy Gus asks "Well, I suppose you want the regular shine?" (as opposed to the "Best shine" or "Spit shine" etc.)
Zig-(incredulously) "I can't believe you said that! Why would you offer me the Regular instead of the Best?"
Gloomy- "People don't pay for the Best on rainy days because their shoes get muddied up later."
Zig- "It seems to me that if the Best shine gives the best protection and your business is down on rainy days, you would work awfully hard to increase the sales of your Best shine."
It sinks in a little for Gloomy. Zig gives him a few words that improve his sales pitch and Gloomy feels better.
The lesson behind the story woke me up. Why do we sell (or pitch, or talk about) anything less than the best for our clients and consumers? Why do we assume they don't want the best for themselves?
I think it's because we're scared. We're scared that we're not delivering the best and that consumers know it. We stretch to sell (reluctantly) because we don't believe we're delivering value to the customer.
What if we switched our framework slightly? What if we realized it's about confidence, yes, but also about the inherent belief that we're delivering something of value to the person; that we're helping them acquire something they need. That we're not only selling them something, we're helping them by selling them something.
Gloomy's assumption that people wouldn't want to pay for the Best shine undermined his profession, his respect for himself, and the respect for the customers. He should have understood that people want the best for themselves and they're willing to pay for it. Why undermine it when they aren't?
When you think about it this way, it feels lovely to want to sell. To want to get the other's permission and give them what they want.
How often have we sold to people with a lackadaisical attitude, a less-than-enthusiastic pitch, not believing what we're saying? How many times have we decreased our chances because we assume someone wouldn't want the best for themselves?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Dust off that Keyboard
Over the last month and a half we have been working to finish our basement. It's been very difficult to find any time to sit down and write any music. It seems like I have spent most of my weekends working on framing, wiring and laying tile.
I finally got a chance to sit down and play through a few songs the other day and couldn't believe how much dust builds up when you do drywall. Anyway, I hope to start writing more music again. I have about 4 songs completed for my next LDS Piano Solo book. I hope to send a few demo songs to all of my fans soon. I love getting feedback from all of you, please keep the comments coming in! And please tell your friends about my music!
I finally got a chance to sit down and play through a few songs the other day and couldn't believe how much dust builds up when you do drywall. Anyway, I hope to start writing more music again. I have about 4 songs completed for my next LDS Piano Solo book. I hope to send a few demo songs to all of my fans soon. I love getting feedback from all of you, please keep the comments coming in! And please tell your friends about my music!
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